Huddersfield Town v Liverpool betting tips: Preview, prediction, latest odds & best bets for Premier League clash
Two sides at opposite ends of the table, both desperate for points. George Pitts preview Saturday evening's clash between Huddersfield and Liverpool.
Recommended bets
2pts Liverpool to win on -1 handicap at evens
1pt Virgil van Dijk to score a header at 20/1
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Huddersfield Town v Liverpool (1730 BST, BT Sport 1)
Two sides at opposite ends of the table, both desperate for points.
Huddersfield are still winless after eight games and face a tough season ahead in a bid to retain their top-flight status.
Terriers coach David Wagner should not fear for his job regardless of their fortunes, with the club's owner and chairman Dean Hoyle this week insisting the German is safe from the sack after playing a key role in their three-year rise.
“I will not sack David Wagner this season,” said Hoyle, quoted by the Mirror.
“I owe him a lot and I have seen him work behind the scenes. Whichever manager we could get into this football club, they would not try harder and try to find new solutions more than what David and his team do."
Another hard-working German boss will be in the away dugout for the evening kick-off, as Wagner comes up against old friend Jurgen Klopp.
A lot of stories resurface when these two meet, with Wagner doing Klopp the honour of being his best man over a decade ago. These two mean business when the whistle goes though, with the Reds winning 3-0 in both fixtures last term.
The Premier League title contenders will be hoping for the same again, but they may have to do so without some of their best players. Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana, Naby Keita and James Milner are all doubts and Liverpool's strength in depth will be vital here.
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Betting guide
Prediction: Huddersfield 1-3 Liverpool (Sky Bet odds: 12/1)
This may be Liverpool's toughest clash yet in some ways, with the strength of their squad put to the test as they contend with a number of injuries. That being said, they still have plenty of quality to replace their absentees and should still have no issues finding the back of the net in West Yorkshire. If the Reds are without van Dijk at the back, the hosts may score despite failing to do so in their last six home matches.
Best bet: Liverpool on -1 handicap at evens
The Reds will be keen to end a four-match winless run in all competitions and to keep up their Premier League title assault. The international break came at an ideal time for Klopp, in order to break that run of results, and Huddersfield do not look capable of ending their own 12-game winless run in the Premier League against a team of Liverpool's calibre.
The Terriers have been behind at both half-time and full-time in five of their last six home matches, so it is worth considering backing the visitors in the half-time/full-time market, but the handicap looks the safer play as either way their quality should ultimately show.
Goals: Virgil van Dijk to score a header - Price Boosted to 20/1
The Reds are the joint-best team in the league (along with Tottenham, on five) from set pieces, while Huddersfield have conceded three, so backing the Dutchman to get on the score sheet is worth considering if he's passed fit. The Netherlands captain is 10/1 anytime and if he does not feature you will be refunded. Joel Matip, his possible replacement, is available at 14/1 anytime.
Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge could be worth backing at 5/4 to score in 90 minutes with Mane also doubtful. The 29-year-old will have been working hard over the international break and, even if he does not start, is likely to be involved from the bench after scoring three in his last five appearances in all competitions.
RequestABet: Liverpool to win, over 2.5 goals, Sturridge to score and 6+ Liverpool corners at 9/2
With the above selections and the expectation of Liverpool spending the majority of the match on the attack, a high set-piece count is expected.
Opta statistics
- Huddersfield lost both Premier League meetings 3-0 against Liverpool last season, in what where their first league meetings with the Reds since the 1971-72 campaign.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions against Huddersfield (W9 D3 L0) and haven’t conceded a single goal in any of their last seven against the Terriers.
- Huddersfield managed just one shot on target across their two Premier League games against Liverpool last season, and only six shots in total.
- Huddersfield have failed to score in any of their four Premier League home games this season – only Everton in 1998-99 have failed to score in any of their first five at home at the start of a Premier League campaign.
- Huddersfield have failed to score in their last six home Premier League games – only Manchester City (8 in 2006-07) have ever had a longer such run in the competition.
- Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have lost five of their nine away Premier League games against teams starting the day in the relegation zone (P9 W2 D2 L5) and won none of their last six (W0 D2 L4) since a 6-0 victory at Aston Villa in February 2016.
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 16 Premier League games (W10 D5) and are unbeaten in their last nine (W7 D2 L0).
- Huddersfield have fired in a league-low 20 shots on target in the Premier League this season, while only Man City (16) have faced fewer shots on target than Liverpool (21).
- Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge has already hit more goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season (4), than he did in 20 last term for Liverpool and West Brom combined (3).
Odds correct as of 1225 BST on 18/10/18